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castigate

verb

/ˈkastɪɡeɪt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of castigate

To criticize or reprimand someone severely, especially in a public or formal way.
"The coach will castigate the players for their lack of discipline during the game."

Detailed meaning of castigate

It can also mean to punish or discipline someone severely, especially for a wrongdoing. For example, a teacher might castigate a student who has cheated on a test. A parent might castigate a child who has lied or stolen. The term is often used to describe a situation in which someone is subjected to harsh or severe criticism or punishment, especially for something that is seen as being wrong or unacceptable. It can also be used more generally to describe a situation in which someone is criticized or reprimanded in a strong or forceful way.

Example sentences containing castigate

1. Teachers should not castigate students in front of the class, as it can harm their self-esteem.
2. Managers who constantly castigate their employees create a hostile work environment.
3. It is important to castigate any form of discrimination within society.
4. Parents should be cautious about how they castigate their children for their mistakes.
5. The council will castigate any member who violates the code of conduct.
6. Human rights organizations often castigate governments for their treatment of refugees.

History and etymology of castigate

The verb 'castigate' has an etymology that conveys the severity of criticism or reprimand. It originates from the Latin word 'castigare,' which is a combination of 'castus,' meaning 'pure' or 'chaste,' and 'agere,' meaning 'to do' or 'to drive.' In ancient Rome, 'castigare' was used to describe the act of correcting or chastising someone for their impurity or wrongdoing. Over time, it transitioned into English as 'castigate,' signifying the act of criticizing or reprimanding someone severely, often in a public or formal manner. The etymology of 'castigate' underscores the notion of driving someone towards purity or correction through severe criticism, emphasizing the seriousness of the reprimand or censure.

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Further usage examples of castigate

1. The media tends to castigate public figures for any perceived misconduct.
2. It is common for critics to castigate movies they believe are subpar.
3. Animal rights activists will castigate companies that engage in animal testing.
4. The chef may castigate kitchen staff if they do not follow hygiene standards.
5. The teacher will castigate anyone who engages in bullying within the school.
6. Consumer watchdog groups often castigate companies for deceptive marketing practices.
7. Environmental organizations castigate individuals who engage in illegal wildlife trade.
8. A community must castigate any acts that go against its core values.
9. The international community will castigate any country that breaks international law.
10. Professional organizations may castigate members who do not uphold professional ethics.
11. Some believe that society should castigate celebrities more for setting bad examples to the youth.
12. Ethical businesses must castigate unfair labor practices within their industry.
13. It is necessary for institutions to castigate corruption and foster integrity.
14. The teacher had to castigate the unruly student for disrupting the class.
15. The coach didn't hesitate to castigate the team for their poor performance.
16. In a stern tone, the manager began to castigate the negligent employee.
17. The media was quick to castigate the politician for their controversial remarks.
18. She chose to castigate herself for the mistake she had made.
19. The committee gathered to castigate the company for its unethical practices.
20. The public expected the CEO to castigate the company's failures.
21. His parents had to castigate him for staying out past curfew.
22. The supervisor had no choice but to castigate the employee for violating company policies.
23. The principal had to castigate the students for their disrespectful behavior.
24. It was difficult for her to castigate her best friend for betraying her trust.